Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada (JDRF) will officially kick off its annual Toronto Ride for Diabetes Research campaign on May 26, 2009, highlighting the need for more funds and research to continue the impressive advancements that have been made in the search for a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.

Organizers have set a $2.5-million target for this year for Toronto, with the help of 1,500 corporate teams, primarily from the wealth management, financial services, securities, real estate, hotel and restaurant industry, as well as legal, insurance and accounting firms.

"While the ride itself may not be until September, we believe it's never too early to increase awareness of such a worthwhile cause and to start collecting pledges," says Judy Goldring, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer of AGF Funds Inc. and co-chair of this year's Toronto Ride. "Companies and their employees have generously supported the JDRF Ride as a way of giving back to the communities in which they live and work."

The aim of the Toronto Ride is to assist JDRF in raising funds to help find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a complex disease that affects the lives of 240,000 Canadians, most of them children.

"JDRF is the leader in setting the agenda for type 1 diabetes research worldwide," says Wendy Murray, co-chair of the Toronto Ride and Associate Vice President, Client Systems and eSolutions, Wealth Management Technology Solutions, at TD Bank Financial Group. "It is truly inspirational that the funds raised during the campaign are generated by professional groups and their unwavering generosity and enthusiasm for the JDRF Ride."

According to the World Health Organization, Canada has the sixth highest incidence rate of type 1 diabetes in the world for children 14 years of age and younger. This year's JDRF Toronto Youth Ambassador, 10-year-old Albany Turner, an avid hockey and football player, says a cure for juvenile diabetes would make a world of difference to her. "Finding a cure would mean no more sugar checks and not having to worry about going low when I'm playing with my friends," says Albany, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 7.

There are 14 Canadian cities participating in the Ride which has a national fundraising target of $5.5M. The 2009 Toronto Ride takes place on Friday, Sept. 25 at Nathan Phillips Square. See www.jdrf.ca/ride for the video and further information on registering or pledging.

Media advisory and photo opportunity

Media are invited to attend the kickoff and photo opportunity on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at the Design Exchange 234 Bay Street, Toronto. 11:30 am to noon. Meet children and adults whose lives have changed because of the research progress and advances funded by JDRF.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date in Canada and around the world. It has raised more than $1.3 billion for diabetes research since its inception in 1970, including $156 million in 2008 to over 1,000 grants, centres, and fellowships in 22 countries.
www.jdrf.ca

Media, please contact:

Lesley Ciciretto
National Communications Specialist
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
905-944-4607, lciciretto@jdrf.ca

Lucy Becker
Vice-President, AGF Corporate Communications
416-865-4284, lucy.becker@AGF.com